Willie Sanford was driving through his new home city in Tallahassee, Florida, when his daughter pointed out the Little League® fields from across the way. Right then and there, his daughter said, “Dad, I want to play baseball.” That simple moment sparked Sanford’s journey, not just as a Little League parent but as a role model within his community.
At the time, the town did not yet have a Little League Softball® team, but that soon would change, providing opportunities for girls within the community. Once established, Sanford’s passion for the game began to grow. He was a constant presence in the stands, always cheering on his daughter and offering coaching tips. It was not long before one of his daughter’s coaches took notice of Sanford’s enthusiasm for the game and asked him to step up to the plate and become a coach.
That simple question is all it took; Sanford found his calling and quickly sought to improve his skills through the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program. Since then, he has become a key figure in the league, not just for his knowledge of the sport, but for how he inspires players, connects with coaches, and his approach to creating a fun atmosphere with his team.
Recognized as the July 2025 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, Sanford shared his training experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion:
Why do you think it is important for coaches and volunteers to take the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program?
When it comes to coaching, some of the coaches I have seen are mainly focused on scoring runs and winning ball games. However, that is not what coaching is all about. Building a fun culture, program, and team all happen through coaching. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that proper training will lead to success every time. I have advised all my coaches to do this training. If one of them doesn’t remember a lesson, this program always allows you to go back and review it. If you don’t do the training, then you are trying to coach without reasoning behind your teachings. That is something that is not beneficial for you as a coach or for your players.
What lessons from the training do you plan to carry into future seasons?
As a softball coach, one of the biggest lessons that I will carry into future seasons is to never let a kid get down about themselves. If a kid strikes out or makes a mistake, don’t put a ton of stress on them. Mistakes and strikeouts are part of the game. If it takes a little bit of extra training to rework those fundamentals and mental errors, then so be it. You must put in time to make sure that their self-esteem does not get too low. Build confidence in your players instead of tearing them down after a mistake. Make your players ready to go on any given day, and work with them to strive for greatness.
What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader, and why should others strive to be the same?
It means the world to be recognized as a Diamond Leader on the field. To show your coaching abilities all while making sure that kids don’t lose their composure on the field and are having a great time, is a surreal feeling. Others should strive to be the same because this game is important to so many athletes. This game isn’t just about the wins and losses; it’s about building character and having an impact on others. If others strive to have as big of an impact as I do daily, the opportunities to grow the sport around the world are limitless. I would like to thank the Board of Directors members who assisted in forming Gibson Little League, also the parents and players, and to the sponsors that supported Gibson Little League in its first year ever season, which provided me the chance to provide my background of Little League involvement.
The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.
The post Little League Diamond Leader Discussion: Willie Sanford appeared first on Little League.
